Small Talk + Rugby union | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/series/smalltalk+rugby-union
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Fri, 18 Aug 2017 03:52:33 GMT2017-08-18T03:52:33Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Zack Test: 'When it comes to the pitch, no opponent's your friend'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/15/zack-test-usa-eagles-london-sevens-rugby
<p>The USA try machine on switching from football, this weekend’s London Sevens, Olympic and golfing dreams and being cordial to Canadians despite everything</p><p><strong>Morning, Zack. </strong>Afternoon, Small Talk. </p><p>[Zac, who is from California, is in London on a train. Small Talk, who is from Leeds, is in New York in an office, bellowing at Skype. Globalisation and its discontents: discuss.]<br></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/15/zack-test-usa-eagles-london-sevens-rugby">Continue reading...</a>USA rugby union teamRugby unionUS sportsSportFri, 15 May 2015 14:40:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/15/zack-test-usa-eagles-london-sevens-rugbyPhotograph: Heathrow ExpressPhotograph: Heathrow ExpressMartin Pengelly2015-05-15T14:40:23ZGeoff Parling: ‘I might get some big mutton chop sideburns’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/geoff-parling-small-talk
The England and Leicester lock <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/10/geoff-parling-harry-redknapp-england" title="">gets another go at Small Talk</a> to discuss tight shirts, beards and being played by Robin Williams<p><strong>Hello Geoff, how’s things?</strong> [In a pleasingly affable northern manner] Yeah, not bad thanks mate, how are you?</p><p><strong>Lovely thanks Geoff, nice of you to ask. You’ve been in the wars a bit recently, haven’t you?</strong> Yeah, I got a bang on the head against Edinburgh [in a pre-season game], but I should be OK now. I trained yesterday and I’ve got a few little tests to go through, but should be all good.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/geoff-parling-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>LeicesterEngland rugby union teamRugby unionSportMon, 15 Sep 2014 11:04:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/geoff-parling-small-talkPhotograph: Handout/PA Wire/PAGeoff Parling, centre, complete with beard and tight shirt. Photograph: Handout/PA Wire/PAPhotograph: Handout/PA Wire/PAGeoff Parling, centre, complete with beard and tight shirt. Photograph: Handout/PA Wire/PANick Miller2014-09-15T11:04:01ZLuke Narraway: ‘I’ve grown up in farms, butchers’ shops and abattoirs’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/05/luke-narraway-small-talk
<p>The London Irish flanker on his huge appetite for snails, his love of Mario Balotelli and the French equivalent of being ‘paddled’</p><p><strong>Hello, Luke. Good to see you back in the ’hood with London Irish after two seasons in France in Perpignan. Are they treating you well?</strong> They are, it’s been really good. Everyone has been very welcoming and we’ve had a really good pre-season – tough but productive. We’ve got a new training ground, which is world class, and it’s really helping us get our prep done for the first week in the Premiership. So far so good, and hopefully we can take it all into the first game and then have a successful season.</p><p><strong>Shiny new training ground, eh? Tell us more. What’s so good about it? </strong>From a player’s perspective, probably the food. Nah, the gym is probably the best I have worked in – Walshy [Steve Walsh, the club’s strength and conditioning coach) hand-designed it and checked everything out before it was built. There aren’t really any faults with it: the changing rooms are great, the pitches we train on are brilliant, everything from the analysis room to the kit room is all top notch. It’s just taken away any excuses that you could possibly have.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/05/luke-narraway-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>Rugby unionLondon IrishPerpignanSportThu, 04 Sep 2014 23:06:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/05/luke-narraway-small-talkPhotograph: PublicityLuke Narraway: a very ironic man.Photograph: PublicityLuke Narraway: a very ironic man.Nick Ames2014-09-04T23:06:09ZJames Haskell: ‘I’ve a 20-inch neck, narrow waist and bulging thighs’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/03/small-talk-james-haskell
The new Wasps captain on the difficulties of suit fittings, carpet cleaning and following in Lawrence Dallaglio’s footsteps<p><strong>Hi James, how are you?</strong> I’m very well thank you Small Talk, how are you?</p><p><strong>Oh I can’t complain, thank you. First of all, congratulations on being named Wasps captain. It’s presumably a very big deal for you after growing up as a Wasps fan?</strong> Oh absolutely. I know this is a cliché and I’m really sorry for that, but it’s a boyhood dream. I’ve been a supporter since I was about 12 years old, I used to go to the away games, watch the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio and run on the pitch afterwards, so this is a huge honour.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/03/small-talk-james-haskell">Continue reading...</a>Rugby unionSportTue, 02 Sep 2014 23:05:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/03/small-talk-james-haskellPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesJames Haskell: I wouldn’t say four weeks is much of a break after 12 straight months of playing rugby' Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesJames Haskell: I wouldn’t say four weeks is much of a break after 12 straight months of playing rugby' Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesDan Lucas2014-09-02T23:05:12ZNick Evans: it was a hard decision to turn my back on the All Black jersey | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/17/nick-evans-small-talk-interview-harlequins
The Harlequins fly-half on his love of Pearl Jam, why he turned his back on the All Blacks and how lions are tougher than tigers<p><strong>Hello Nick, how are you? </strong>G'day Small Talk, I'm not so bad thanks.</p><p><strong>It says here that I should ask you about IG. Do you know why?</strong> IG? Aw gee mate.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/17/nick-evans-small-talk-interview-harlequins">Continue reading...</a>HarlequinsRugby unionSportThu, 17 Apr 2014 09:18:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/17/nick-evans-small-talk-interview-harlequinsPhotograph: PRNick Evans kicks a golden egg over the photographer's headPhotograph: PRNick Evans kicks a golden egg over the photographer's headTom Bryant2014-04-17T09:18:27ZJoe Launchbury: 'I was OK not being picked for the Lions squad'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/21/joe-launchbury-small-talk-england-rugby-union
England's fresh-faced giant on crying, stacking shelves and the awkwardness of going to gigs when you're 6ft 6in<p><strong>Hi Joe! </strong>Hi Small Talk!</p><p><strong>What's [England head coach] Stuart Lancaster like? Beneath that rough exterior, he's a joker right? </strong>Stuart's been brilliant for me. He gave me a chance from a very young age [Launchbury made his England debut at the age of 21, just 20 months after his first appearance for Wasps]. He's a great man-manager but not really a joker. <a href="http://youtu.be/M8LmKN27rc8?t=3m32s" title="">Joe Marler is the joker of the England team, hands down</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/21/joe-launchbury-small-talk-england-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamRugby unionSportFri, 21 Feb 2014 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/21/joe-launchbury-small-talk-england-rugby-unionPhotograph: Lee MillsJoe Launchbury may have been voted England's Player of the Year for 2012-13 but he's only recently mastered the art of driving. Photograph: Lee MillsPhotograph: Lee MillsJoe Launchbury may have been voted England's Player of the Year for 2012-13 but he's only recently mastered the art of driving. Photograph: Lee MillsMichael Butler2014-02-21T00:01:00ZMaggie Alphonsi: 'I've been trying to get people to call me The Fonz'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/08/maggie-alphonsi-women-rugby-small-talk
The England and Saracens flanker on nicknames, tackling Owen Farrell and serving rude McDonalds customers<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/08/england-women-benefits-division-france">• England women eager to reap benefits of rugby division</a><p><strong>Hello Maggie.</strong> Hi Small Talk!</p><p><strong>You've won loads of things (an MBE for services to rugby union, 63 caps for England, seven successive Six Nations titles (six of them grand slams), a Sunday Times sportswoman of the year award, the first ever female winner of the Pat Marshall award from the Rugby Union Writers' Club, [deep breath] named in the Powerlist 100 of the most influential people of African and African-Caribbean descent in Britain for three years running). Do you have a trophy room?</strong> I don't actually – I just keep them in my room. I'm in the middle of buying a new place so they're just sitting on the side.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/08/maggie-alphonsi-women-rugby-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>England women's rugby union teamSaracensWomen's rugby unionRugby unionSportFri, 08 Nov 2013 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/08/maggie-alphonsi-women-rugby-small-talkPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesAutumn's Maggie Alphonsi: chilling. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesAutumn's Maggie Alphonsi: chilling. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesMichael Butler2013-11-08T00:01:00ZGeorge Gregan: 'I would have loved a southern hemisphere Lions'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/may/30/george-gregan-small-talk-lions
The former Wallabies captain on facing the Lions, the best national anthem and the delights of sashimi<p><strong>Morning George</strong><br>Morning Small Talk</p><p><strong>Small Talk heard the Lions described as the best team in the world on the radio the other day. Is that true?</strong><br>[After a good solid mull] The best team in the world is an interesting concept.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/may/30/george-gregan-small-talk-lions">Continue reading...</a>Australia rugby union teamBritish & Irish LionsRugby unionAustralia sportSportThu, 30 May 2013 04:26:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/may/30/george-gregan-small-talk-lionsPhotograph: PRGeorge Gregan after completing some handy reversing. Photograph: PRPhotograph: PRGeorge Gregan after completing some handy reversing. Photograph: PRTom Lutz2013-05-30T04:26:00ZTom Varndell: I've got some absolute cheese on my iPod | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jun/29/tom-varndell-small-talk
The Wasps wing on stand-up comedy, Aston Martins and why he'd make a good lion<p><strong>Hi Tom! How are you feeling today? </strong>I'm feeling great, Small Talk. Was there anything else?</p><p><strong>Small Talk is really looking forward to the </strong><a href="http://www.jpmorgan7s.com" title=""><strong>JP Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s</strong></a><strong>, which we believe kicks off on 13 July before building towards a final in Bath on 3 August. How are you feeling about it</strong>? I'm really looking forward to it. The tournament's in its third year now and it's grown every year. I really enjoy it: the timing's perfect, coming in pre-season, to get some conditioning work done. It's competitive, and it's a great start to the season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jun/29/tom-varndell-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>WaspsRugby unionSportThu, 28 Jun 2012 23:09:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jun/29/tom-varndell-small-talkPhotograph: PRTom Varndell: likes a bit of Boyzone, dislikes injuries.Photograph: PRTom Varndell: likes a bit of Boyzone, dislikes injuries.Simon Burnton2012-06-28T23:09:04ZSmall Talk | Colin Charvis: 'I think I've played my fair share of practical jokes on people'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/17/small-talk-colin-charvis-wales
The former Wales captain on not being a painter in Kansas, how he takes his steak and why his country will win the Six Nations<p><strong>Hello Colin. Small Talk's talking to you. You're talking to us. You must have something to plug. It says here that </strong><a href="http://www.bg-energychallenge.com/UnitedKingdom/en-us/Pages/EventHome.aspx" title=""><strong>The BG Energy challenge</strong></a><strong> is some kind of extreme charity action event that involves physical, intellectual and strategic challenges across Dartmoor.</strong> I'm not going say it's extreme because that implies danger and I'm not game for that. But it is extreme in that it's challenging. There's orienteering so you're running and reading maps. You're mountain biking and canoeing and doing different tasks. It's that kind of thing over three days. I'll be involved in one of the teams as a captain.</p><p><strong>So you've still got the fitness you had as Wales international?</strong> I don't know about the fitness. If there's any running and jumping I might be struggling. But I can do sitting down and rowing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/17/small-talk-colin-charvis-wales">Continue reading...</a>Wales rugby union teamRugby unionSportFri, 17 Feb 2012 10:35:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/17/small-talk-colin-charvis-walesPhotograph: PRColin Charvis: not a painter in Kansas. Photograph: PRPhotograph: PRColin Charvis: not a painter in Kansas. Photograph: PRTom Bryant2012-02-17T10:35:03ZGeoff Parling: 'Harry Redknapp should manage the England rugby team'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/10/geoff-parling-harry-redknapp-england
The England second row on making his international debut, his toughest ever opponent and the world's worst nightclub<p><strong>Afternoon Geoff and thanks very much for speaking to Small Talk only two days before you face Italy. </strong>No problem.</p><p><strong>What was it like to make your England debut in a Calcutta Cup match in Edinburgh? </strong>It was an opportunity I'd been waiting for for quite some time so I was really pleased to get on, especially in a winning team.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/10/geoff-parling-harry-redknapp-england">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamRugby unionSportFri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/10/geoff-parling-harry-redknapp-englandPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesGeoff Parling, left, and Lee Dickson following England's Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland. Parling is godfather to one of Dickson's kids. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesGeoff Parling, left, and Lee Dickson following England's Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland. Parling is godfather to one of Dickson's kids. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesEdward Gibbes2012-02-10T09:00:00ZSmall Talk: Jamie Roberts | Sachin Nakranihttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/19/jamie-roberts-interview-small-talk
The Wales rugby star on his country's Rugby World Cup hopes, his medical career and his favourite biscuit<p><strong>Hi Jamie, how are you?</strong> I'm good thanks Small Talk.</p><p><strong>Being a top rugby player you've done loads of interviews in the past, but nothing quite like this. Do you know what Small Talk is all about?</strong> I do. I've read a few so I know what to expect. Looking forward to it actually. Bring it on.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/19/jamie-roberts-interview-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>SportRugby unionWales rugby union teamThu, 18 Aug 2011 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/19/jamie-roberts-interview-small-talkPhotograph: PRHuge bourbon biscuit fan Jamie Roberts poses in the new Wales World Cup kit. PRPhotograph: PRHuge bourbon biscuit fan Jamie Roberts poses in the new Wales World Cup kit. PRSachin Nakrani2011-08-18T23:01:00ZMike Phillipshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/18/mike-phillips-small-talk
The Wales No9 on growing up on a farm, dating Duffy and the benefits of full-fat milk<p><strong>Hello Mike, how are you?</strong> All right, good thanks, how are you?</p><p><strong>Been worse. Anyway, straight down to the important stuff: you grew up on dairy farm – are you a full fat man or semi-skimmed?</strong> Full fat me. That's what got me into the Wales team in the first place.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/18/mike-phillips-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>Wales rugby union teamRugby unionSportFri, 18 Mar 2011 10:22:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/18/mike-phillips-small-talkPhotograph: PRMike Phillips. A long way from the farm ...Photograph: PRMike Phillips. A long way from the farm ...Paolo Bandini2011-03-18T10:22:31ZSam Warburton | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/04/small-talk-sam-warburton
The Wales flanker on growing up with Gareth Bale, getting down with thrash metal and why he can't stand Twitter<p><strong>Hi Sam. Small Talk here. </strong> Hello Small Talk. [Sam apologises four times for missing Small Talk's call earlier.]</p><p><strong>Not to worry. So you're a flanker. For someone who doesn't follow rugby, what's that all about? </strong> I think a flanker is pretty much always in the action. There's never a quiet minute in the game for a flanker. It's all action, tackling, clearing out rucks, ball carrying ... a bit of everything. You definitely have to be one of the fittest players on the pitch.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/04/small-talk-sam-warburton">Continue reading...</a>Wales rugby union teamRugby unionSportSam WarburtonFri, 04 Mar 2011 00:06:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/04/small-talk-sam-warburtonPhotograph: Alan Walter/PRSam Warburton: 'I don't like talking to people in the dressing room beforehand.' Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Alan WalterPhotograph: Alan Walter/PRSam Warburton: 'I don't like talking to people in the dressing room beforehand.' Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Alan WalterJohn Ashdown2011-03-04T00:06:00ZJason Leonard | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/25/jason-leonard-small-talk
The former England prop on England's chances against France and why traffic wardens should be put into Room 101<p><strong>Hello Jason. How are you? </strong>Excellent, thanks Small Talk. Excellent.</p><p><strong>You are promoting the FairPlay programme at the minute. What were your school days like? </strong>Erm, very much along the lines of what the FairPlay programme is trying to help. I come from the inner city, as such, and there were some kids who were excluded from school, or dropped out of school, off the grid if you like. And I think a programme like this would have been fantastic for some of those guys to help them get back into school, through the medium of rugby …</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/25/jason-leonard-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>Rugby unionSportFri, 25 Feb 2011 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/25/jason-leonard-small-talkPhotograph: Andrew Budd/Action ImagesJason Leonard shows why all the kids attend school when he is about. Photograph: Andrew Budd/Action ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Budd/Action ImagesJason Leonard shows why all the kids attend school when he is about. Photograph: Andrew Budd/Action ImagesJohn Ashdown2011-02-25T00:05:00ZJonny Wilkinson | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/04/jonny-wilkinson-small-talk-six-nations
The England fly-half on Baywatch, the brilliance of You've Been Framed and the impossibility of the Sébastien Chabal look<p><strong>Hi Jonny. How's it going? </strong>Hiya Small Talk. Good thanks, mate. Very good.</p><p><strong>Excellent. So you're plugging Gillette today – now you're usually a very clean-shaven chap. Ever been tempted by the Sébastien Chabal look?</strong> The difficult thing with me doing that would be the fact that it would take a good part of two years to achieve, maybe more. So along that route I've no doubt I'd be hugely motivated to stop the process, with the sporadic nature of my facial hair. So in a way I'm limited to what I can achieve. I'm either clean-shaven or sort of like a young teenager kind of affair. The Chabal thing – I lost hope of that when I was probably about 13.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/04/jonny-wilkinson-small-talk-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Jonny WilkinsonSix NationsRugby unionSportFri, 04 Feb 2011 00:06:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/04/jonny-wilkinson-small-talk-six-nationsPhotograph: Ben Duffy PhotographyJonny Wilkinson: Likes chicken fajitas, dislikes panto. Photograph: Ben Duffy PhotographyPhotograph: Ben Duffy PhotographyJonny Wilkinson: Likes chicken fajitas, dislikes panto. Photograph: Ben Duffy PhotographyJohn Ashdown2011-02-04T00:06:01ZTom Croft | Small Talk | Tom Lutzhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/28/small-talk-tom-croft
The England flanker on who to watch in the Six Nations, running the 100m, and Stuart Broad's school days<p><strong>Good morning, Tom. You are well, we trust?</strong> I'm fine thanks, Small Talk.</p><p><strong>Maybe not as fine as you'd like though. You're carrying a bit of an injury ahead of the Six Nations, how's the recovery going?</strong> Yep, I fractured my shoulder which is a bit of a pain but the recovery is going well, so we'll just wait and see. I just want to get a few games for Leicester under my belt and hopefully that will lead to good form with England [true to his word, Tom gets picked for the England squad a few weeks later, despite his injury].</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/28/small-talk-tom-croft">Continue reading...</a>Rugby unionSportFri, 28 Jan 2011 00:08:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/28/small-talk-tom-croftPhotograph: Getty Images for GuinnessTom Croft practises his passing. Photograph: Getty Images for GuinnessPhotograph: Getty Images for GuinnessTom Croft practises his passing. Photograph: Getty Images for GuinnessTom Lutz2011-01-28T00:08:00ZSean Lamont | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/12/small-talk-sean-lamont
Scotland's winger on the joy of Harry Potter, how to face down the haka and why eggs, chicken and beans make him happy<p><strong>Hello Sean, how are you?</strong> [Cheery] Very well indeed, and how are you?</p><p><strong>Tip-top Sean and thanks for asking. So then, the big one at Murrayfield is coming ...</strong> [Still cheery] It sure is ...</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/12/small-talk-sean-lamont">Continue reading...</a>Scotland rugby union teamAutumn internationalsRugby unionSportFri, 12 Nov 2010 00:06:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/12/small-talk-sean-lamontPhotograph: PR companyHere's Sean Lamont after he's eaten eggs, chicken and beans. Photograph: PR companyPhotograph: PR companyHere's Sean Lamont after he's eaten eggs, chicken and beans. Photograph: PR companyPaul Doyle2010-11-12T00:06:03ZButch James | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/oct/22/butch-james-small-talk
The South Africa and Bath player on rugby, romance and really odd family nicknames<p><strong>Hello Butch, how are you?</strong> I'm good thanks, how are you?</p><p><strong>Just fine, Butch. You're talking to us, so something must need plugging.</strong> I'm here at this training facility for the Aviva launch, and we've got some school kids here as well.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/oct/22/butch-james-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>South Africa rugby teamBathRugby unionSportThu, 21 Oct 2010 23:05:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/oct/22/butch-james-small-talkPhotograph: Getty Images/Getty Images for Aviva PremiershButch James of Bath with children from Batheaston Primary School and St Andrews Primary School at the launch of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme at Farleigh House. Photograph: Getty Images for Aviva PremiershipPhotograph: Getty Images/Getty Images for Aviva PremiershButch James of Bath with children from Batheaston Primary School and St Andrews Primary School at the launch of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme at Farleigh House. Photograph: Getty Images for Aviva PremiershipTom Bryant2010-10-21T23:05:02ZJustin Marshall | Small Talkhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/21/justin-marshall-small-talk
The All Black legend on practising the haka, the longevity of lillies and why the Aussies try to steal everything that's good about New Zealand<p><strong>Hello Justin, how's it going? </strong>Great, Small Talk, and you?</p><p><strong>Not a bother, Justin. Say, as an All Black legend you're just the man to answer this question: how should an opposing team respond to the haka? Turn their backs? Shout their defiance? Stick up their middle fingers? </strong>I've had to face it actually, which was really bizarre. In 2003 before the World Cup I played for the Barbarians against the All Blacks, for whom I'd previously played 70-odd Tests – yet here I was facing the haka. It was really strange but I enjoyed it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/21/justin-marshall-small-talk">Continue reading...</a>New Zealand rugby union teamSaracensRugby unionSportThu, 20 May 2010 23:05:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/21/justin-marshall-small-talkPhotograph: Getty Images for GuinnessJustin Marshall of Saracens. The scrum-half will be keeping a video diary in the buildup to the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham. Photograph: Getty Images for GuinnessPhotograph: Getty Images for GuinnessJustin Marshall of Saracens. The scrum-half will be keeping a video diary in the buildup to the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham. Photograph: Getty Images for GuinnessPaul Doyle2010-05-20T23:05:03Z